Akhil Gogoi sets Feb 19 deadline for Congress as Raijor Dal releases election manifesto

Akhil Gogoi, Raijor Dal chief and Sivasagar MLA, has set February 19 as the final deadline for the Congress to formalise an alliance, signalling possible strain within the opposition camp ahead of the elections.

Issuing a fresh warning over alliance talks, Gogoi said that if no understanding is reached by February 19, Raijor Dal will contest the elections independently. He further stated that if the alliance does not materialise within five days, he will announce the names of party candidates and the constituencies they will contest on February 19.

The development comes even as Raijor Dal released its election manifesto for the Srijangram Assembly constituency in Bongaigaon district on February 14, a move political observers view as an indication of preparations to go solo.

The manifesto was formally unveiled by Parvez Rahman, the party’s central organisational secretary and a prospective candidate for the Srijangram seat. The announcement was made at a press conference held at Abhayapuri Chilarai Bhawan in Bongaigaon, in the presence of district president Mahidhar Ray and other party leaders.

Addressing the media, Rahman outlined several development-oriented promises for the constituency, focusing on infrastructure development, improved public services, and grassroots welfare initiatives. He emphasised that the party’s agenda would remain people-centric and accountable.

Rahman also asserted that if elected as the MLA from Srijangram, he would remain accessible to the public at all times. “The people will be able to reach their representative whenever required,” he said, underlining the party’s commitment to transparency and direct public engagement.